North News

Happy Friday, North!

As we approach conference week, I want to take a moment to thank our community for their continued support of North. Our Parents Association is offering families the opportunity to “Buy a Teacher Dinner” during conferences If you would like to participate, donations are processed through the Parent Association.

Under the direction of Mrs. Peyton Black, our choirs put on a tremendous fall concert last night. We look forward to more opportunities for our community to see our Norsemen in action on the court, field, and stage in the coming days. North will host the boys soccer district, the annual North/South football game next Friday, October 23 at 7pm, and the band and orchestra’s annual Pops and Pastries concert on Monday, October 26 at 7pm in the PAC.

Proud. Tough. Together.

Kevin Shubnell, Principal
313-432-3204
shubnek@gpschools.org

Each week, our staff will recognize one student and one staff member who exemplify The Norseman Way—Proud, Tough, and Together. These Hammer Award recipients represent the heart of our school culture, and we look forward to celebrating their contributions throughout the year.

Sophomore Will McKee brings a warm, friendly, and positive energy to North each day. In the classroom, his strong work ethic, consistent participation, and curiosity set an example for his peers. In the halls, he shares that same kindness with a friendly hello to just about everyone he meets. Will also makes an impact on North athletics by volunteering his time and taking on new responsibilities. As a volleyball timekeeper, he arrives early to help prepare equipment and set up for games. He supports the Boosters with concessions, helps collect equipment after football games, and recently stepped in on the JV football chain crew. He is also learning to assist with the stadium scoreboard. Whether in class or helping behind the scenes, Will shows up ready to contribute and learn. His kindness, dedication, and school pride embody what it means to be Proud, Tough, Together and live the Norseman Way.

John Cruz, our technology director, keeps North connected through his knowledge, patience, and willingness to help others. With a steady stream of requests coming his way, John approaches each person with a calm presence and never makes anyone feel like their question is an inconvenience. Whether troubleshooting a computer, helping someone reset a password, or managing the work behind the scenes that most of us never see, he helps students and staff have what they need each day. John takes pride in his expertise without being boastful and shares that knowledge in ways that help others feel comfortable and supported. His days are full, but he consistently makes time for the people who count on him. Through his steady approach, problem solving, and care for our North staff and students, John embodies what it means to be Proud, Tough, Together and live the Norseman Way.

Dear North Students, Student-Athletes, and Families,

As we approach rivalry games and playoff competition, we share your excitement for the opportunities ahead. These moments can bring out the best in our student-athletes and bring our school community together. They also carry a responsibility to uphold the proud traditions and reputation of Grosse Pointe North.

An enthusiastic, positive crowd can lift a team and help turn the tide of a contest. The opposite can also be true: a crowd focused on berating officials or opponents can distract our student-athletes and undermine their ability to play to their full potential.

We ask everyone to keep these expectations in mind:

• Cheer for North. Bring your energy and enthusiasm to supporting our teams. Personal insults or demeaning comments directed at opposing players, coaches, or fans have no place in our stands.

• Respect officials. Officials will make mistakes, and some calls will not go our way. We can disagree while still treating them with dignity and respect. How we respond to frustration reflects who we are.

• Support our teams responsibly online. Use social media to celebrate North and our student-athletes. Do not post or share comments, photos, or AI-generated images intended to demean opposing teams, players, or coaches. Reports of this conduct will be investigated and addressed under the applicable student and extracurricular codes of conduct.

• Respect our opponents’ campuses and traditions. Mocking traditions, defacing property, or targeting another school under the guise of a joke or prank can cause real harm and carry serious consequences. Rivalry is no excuse for disrespect.

These expectations apply to all fans and spectators, whether they are students or adults. Anyone who fails to meet these standards will be asked to leave a game or contest. Disrespectful behavior from another school, opponent, or fan does not justify responding in kind. We will hold ourselves to a higher standard and remain responsible for our own choices.

Parents and families, please reinforce these expectations with your students and model them alongside us at competitions.

We want North to compete with passion and handle success, disappointment, and adversity with class and composure. That means staying above the line and representing the best of North: proud, tough, together.

Rivalry and high-level competition can create lasting memories and stories that are passed down for years. Let’s make sure those stories reflect our school spirit, our sportsmanship, and the pride we take in being Norsemen.

Go North!

Kevin Shubnell Jim Ellis
Principal Athletic Director

Attention Football Fans – Any student that plans to attend the varsity football game at Fraser this Friday, 10/16/26 must show their student ID for admittance. The cost of a ticket will be $5 cash only.

Attention Soccer Fans- The boys soccer team is competing in the district playoffs. They will be playing in the semifinals on Tuesday, October 20th at 7 PM vs Lutheran North here at GPN. All tickets to the game must be purchased through GoFan for a fee of $8 in advance or at the gate with credit/debit card, ApplePay or GooglePay. Come support our boys team and fill our student cheering section. This is an MHSAA sponsored event - no student or family passes will be honored. Go North!

North/South Game-The annual Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South game is next week Friday, October 23, 2026 at 7:00 pm here at GPN. If you would like to purchase tickets in advance at GoFan.co (https://gofan.co/event/6904694?schoolId=MI9966), it may help minimize your wait time at the gate. Go North!!

The Fall Sports season is winding down. Please check out our new and improved website (https://www.grossepointenorthathletics.com/). The website contains up to date information regarding schedules, FinalForms, the Booster Club, Athletics App, Fall Sports Information Packet, and more. Please take some time to review the website, especially the More tab. Go North!

We have a new scheduling system this year called Eventlink. If you would like to receive messages and notifications when there are schedule changes you will need to set up an account with Eventlink if you have not done so already. The link is https://signup.eventlink.com/.

When students are attending athletic competitions this Fall, they should bring their student ID with them as many schools are requiring student IDs for admission.

Senior Athletes: NCAA Signing Day is the period of time in which athletes will make their athletic scholarships official by signing their National Letter of Intent. Grosse Pointe North has created guidelines for signing day that are now posted on the North Athletic homepage. The dates this year will be November 11th, February 3rd, April 14th and May 19th. Contact the athletic office to schedule your 10 minute time slot.

Scholarship Opportunity for Senior Athletes: This year marks the 38th year Farm Bureau Insurance has sponsored the MHSAA's Scholar-Athlete Award. This year 32, $1,000 scholarships will be available to high school seniors who meet the eligibility requirements. Students must be a senior graduating during the 2026-27 school year. Students must have prior to senior year won a varsity letter in a sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. They must also average at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. For complete rules stop by the Athletic Office before Wednesday, December 2nd for an access code.

Athletic Booster Club News:

The Athletic Booster Club is a great support to our student athletes and athletic program. They could use some assistance manning the concession stand this Fall at our athletic events. It is a great way to support them, our students, and interact with other parents and students. Please consider volunteering to man the stand. Students are also welcome to volunteer. Thank you for your consideration. Click here to sign up today!

Following an e-bike accident involving a North student yesterday, we want to reinforce important safety expectations for students riding bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and other motorized devices. We are thankful the student involved is OK.

• The incident occurred when an e-bike traveling on the sidewalk struck a vehicle turning into the Mason parking lot.
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks in Grosse Pointe Woods under city ordinance.
• Walk Your Wheels in School Zones: Once on school property and adjacent sidewalks, bikes, scooters, e-bikes, and e-scooters should be walked—not ridden.
• Michigan-compliant e-bikes may be brought to school. E-motos and other higher-powered devices are subject to additional restrictions.
• Students should use designated crosswalks, follow all rules of the road, and remain alert to vehicles and pedestrians.
• At the high school level, qualifying motorized vehicles must meet applicable Michigan requirements and have an approved school parking permit.

Please talk with your student about these expectations, especially if they ride an e-bike or other electric device to school. When you reach the school zone: Walk your wheels. Slow down. Walk safely. Look out for one another.